Arms regain your own Fear not the Relicks of a Conquer'd Foe Their tott'ring State falls with another Blow Now let no Funeral Honours be deny'd To these brave Men that for their Country dy'd Let us with Sighs and Tears lament their Fate Who fell while striving to support our State Ages to come shall their great Virtue praise Viewing the Tombs that on their Graves you raise And first the Prince to the Pavilion went Whither brave Macor's breathless Corps was sent He lay extended on a Purple Bed With high rais'd Pillows plac'd beneath his Head His Servants standing round their Grief exprest With old Pendarvan sad above the rest Cador to him as to his faithful Friend For wise Instructions did his Son commend His Counsels form'd his Youth and did prepare His Mind for all concerns of Peace and War Now in his Face the deepest Grief appears He beats his Breast and baths it with his Tears He wrings his Hands and in his mournful Rage Tears off the hoary Honours of his Age. Immoderate Grief in lamentable Sounds As Arthur enter'd thro' the Room rebounds The pious Prince with heavy Sorrow prest Burst out in Tears and thus his Grief exprest Inexorable Death at every Heart Without distinction shoots her fatal Dart. Could Beauty Courage Virtue youthful Age Move her Compassion or divert her Rage Brave Youth thou hadst escap'd and liv'd to see Our Triumphs for a Vict'ry due to thee But all thy Charms by stronger Fate o'ercome Could not reverse th' Irrevocable Doom Oh! thy sad Sire what swelling Grief will roll Its stormy Tyde o'er his afflicted Soul Can he the News of Macor's Death survive Or me with whom he trusted him forgive T' allay the smart may the Danmonians tell How bravely Macor fought how Great he fell And how my own with Cador's Grief contends He mourns the best of Sons and I the best of Friends Our Hopes are gone may the Danmonians Cry And what Britannia can thy Loss supply Then to Embalm the Prince he gave Command That he might send him to his Native Land Straight with hot Streams they wash his Body o'er And purge his Skin from Dust and putrid Gore Then in Arabian Spices fragrant Gums Rare Aromatick Oyls and rich Perfumes They lay his Snowy Body which they fold In Bands of Linnen round him often roll'd Then from his Troops a Thousand Youths he chose That might a solemn Equipage compose That might accompany the Funeral State To the unhappy Father's Palace Gate Small Comfort for so great a loss yet due To the sad Sire and all the Prince could shew Forthwith the Britons weave with bending Sprigs Of Willow Trees and tender Oaken Twigs An easie Bier and with soft Rushes spread Sweet Flowers and fragrant Herbs the lofty Bed The Roof on high fresh spreading Branches shade And here sublime the hapless Youth was laid Such on the Ground the fading Rose we see By some rude Blast torn from the Parent Tree The Daffodil so leans his languid Head Newly mown down upon his grassy Bed Tho from the Earth no more Supplies they gain Their splendid Form in part and lovely Hue remain Then a rich Garment glorious to behold Pond'rous with Orient Pearl and stiff with Gold A noble Present from King Odar's Hand Receiv'd when Arthur left the Neustrian Land Upon the Bier his Royal Bounty threw The last Respect that a sad Friend could shew A noble Portion of the wealthy Prey And Spoils gain'd from the Foe on Cars they lay With Arms and Standards that himself had won The Trophies of the Wonders he had done Now the magnificent and pompous Woe Does from the Camp in sad Procession go The lab'ring Axle mourns along the Road And groans beneath th' uncomfortable Load The Horses slowly March and mournful look As they their share of publick Sorrow took Pendarvan follows stooping with his years But more with Grief and delug'd in his Tears Then Macor's Chariot rolls distain'd with Blood On which sublime amidst the War he rode His War-horse Rapa with black Trappings spread And he too seem'd to weep is after led His Arms and polish'd Armour others bear His Golden Spurs his Helmet Shield and Spear Then in long Order the Danmonians mourn'd Their Spears turn'd backwards and their Bucklers turn'd Then Arthur stood and with sad Accent spoke Thus far I mourn the Fate I can't revoke Back I am call'd where Arms and bloody Strife With more sad Objects must renew my Grief Farewel brave Youth farewel till we above Meet in the peaceful Realms of Light and Love He said no more but turn'd and took his way Back to the Camp which lofty Works survey Mean time ten Oratours from Octa sent Arriv'd and waited at the Prince's Tent. Their Embassy a Truce was to obtain To clear the Field and to inter the slain They urg'd that all Hostilities should cease Against the Dead who ought to rest in Peace That all Heroick Conquerors ever gave To those from whom they took their Lives a Grave The Saxons Prayer seem'd just and ten days Truce Prince Arthur granted for this pious Use. To Cador's Court the heavy Tydings came Born swiftly thither on the Wings of Fame Loud Lamentation thro' the Palace went And bitter Cries give their strong Passion vent Officious Fame the dismal News relates And universal Sorrow propagates Pale Faces crossing Arms dejected Eyes O'erflowing Tears and deep despairing Sighs Compose a finish'd Scene of Blackest Woe The Tragick place does all sad Figures show The Men like pallid Ghosts pass silent by Women outrageous in their Sorrow cry Macor is dead our Hopes too with him dy Thro' all the Streets prodigious Numbers flow And pour'd out from the Gates promiscuous go To meet their Hero's Herse with flaming Brands And Pitchy Torches lighted in their Hands Which in long Order shone along the way Disclos'd the Fields and call'd back banish'd Day Soon as they spied the lofty Herse from far Attended with the Pomp of mournful War A lamentable Cry the Valley fills Eccho repeats it louder in the Hills Wild with their Grief distracted with Despair They strike their throbing Breasts tear off their Hair And with their piercing Screams disturb the Air. Both Troops unite Rivals in Love and Grief And the sad Conquest seek with equal Strife As Cador's Love no bounds his Sorrow knew Who from their Arms and Prayers distracted flew Close in his Arms he did the Corps embrace Kiss'd his cold Lips and bath'd with Tears his Face A Scene so tender such a moving Sight Melts all their Hearts and does fresh Grief invite Touch'd with Compassion to th' afflicted King From their exhausted Eyes fresh Torrents spring When the fierce Tempest had its Fury broke With a deep Sigh th' unhappy Monarch spoke Oh my dear Son how mild had been my Doom Hadst thou escap'd I suffer'd in thy Room This Sight kills worse than Death Oh that the Dart Had mist thy Breast and pierc'd thy Father's Heart Oh that to
Almighty's Resting Day Then the blest Voices came with Hymns of Praise Angelick Musick sweet Melodious Lays Such as bright Spirits in high Raptures sing Around the Throne of their Eternal King Now the first Rank of Potentates and Peers Mighty Arch-Angels and high Thrones appears Crowns of substantial massy Glory made Adorn'd with Gems and Flow'rs that never Fade And Greens of Heav'nly growth all wreath'd between Are on the Heads of this bright Order seen Fresh Greens and Flow'rs such as their Gardens bring Blest with mild Rays and Everlasting Spring Vials of Incense in their Hands they bare And the sweet Clouds in Wheels roll up the Air. Odours not to be told fann'd from them fly And wondrous Fragrancy Perfumes the Sky Each had his Lyre that from his Shoulders hung With Golden VVire like radiant Sun-beams strung Such was their Splendour with such grace they trod In Looks and Motion each appear'd a God Hither thick Crowds of vulgar Angels made And to admire this glorious Order staid And as they pass'd humble Obeisance paid Then lower Ranks in long Procession pass'd VVith Crowns and Badges of Distinction grac'd And all so Splendid all so Rich and Gay That Heav'n before ne'er saw so bright a Day Unfading Roses of a Heav'nly Red On the bright Pavement were profusely spread Elysian Jess'mine and blest Am'rant lay In od'rous heaps along the Milky way The Fountains all such Cost was then bestow'd VVith unexhausted Springs of Nectar flow'd And now advanc'd before th' Imperial Throne That losty with excessive Brightness shone They from th' uneasie Lustre of the Light Protected with spread Wings their dazled sight In prostrate Adoration down they fell Opprest with Glory unsupportable Entranc'd Transported Ravish'd there they ly And with blest Hallelujahs fill the Sky In Songs Sublime they praise th' Eternal Mind His Works from all the Ages past design'd His Greatness Wisdom Empire unconfin'd His Justice that no Force or Prayer can move His spotless Truth and Everlasting Love They Sing th' Eternal Son 's Immortal Praise And to an equal height the sacred Spirit raise Then all arising from the sacred Quire O'erflowing with unbounded Joys retire To the blest Shades of the Celestial Bowers Where oft they choose to pass their happy Hours Their Hunger here delicious Banquets met With vast Profusion on rich Tables set Banquets Divine not such as Mortals Eat High Dishes in long Pomp and Order stood Fill'd with choice Fruits rare Meats all Angels Food Ambrosial Juices sweet Nectarean Wine Ravish'd their Taft and made their Faces Shine The Sons of God thus chear'd dissolve in Joy Whilst his high Praises their blest Tongues employ In Joys and Triumphs so the Day they spend Such Mirth and Show the Festival attend Then when the Ev'ning came or what instead Of Evening there does in its turn succeed Glorious illuminations made on high By all the Constellations of the Sky In bright Degrees and shining Orders plac'd Spectators charm'd and the blest Dwellings grac'd Through all th' inlight'n'd Air rare Fireworks flew Which the Celestial Youth with Shouting threw Comets fly up with their red sweeping Train Then fall in Starry Showers and glitt'ring Rain In th' Air ten Thousand Meteors blazing hung That from Heav'n's gilded Battlements were slung Here furious flying Dragons hissing came Here harmless Fires play in a lambent Flame Such Universal Joy in Heav'n they shew'd And in such hallow'd Mirth the day conclude In such Delights they pass their time above And so shall we if like them we Obey and Love In all the Joys that happy Minds attain Blest Adam first began to live and reign He to fair Eden's Paradise resorts Where every Sense its proper Pleasure courts The joyful Spring by soft Favonius fan'd Diffus'd her Riches with a wanton Hand From new-blown Flowers luxurious Odours fly And Heav'nly Landskips meet his ravish'd Eye The twining Branches weave him shady Bowers And Hony-Dews fall in delicious Showers Birds with their Songs their Soveraign salute From Boughs that bend beneath their Golden Fruit. Pure Streams to him their Crystal Waters bring And the glad Fish leap up to see their King The harmless Beasts their humble Homage paid And the sole Monarch of the World obey'd Uninterrupted Peace his Mind possest And Joys unutterable fill'd his Breast He view'd his great Creator's glorious Face Clearly reflected from fair Nature's Glass On her bright Form he saw th' Impressions shine Of Wisdom Infinite and Pow'r Divine Whence all things as free Examinations flow As Streams their Being to their Fountain owe. Which binds fast Nature's vast unshaken Frame Lest it dissolve to Nothing whence it came Whilst in his Thoughts the pleasing Objects Roll Fresh Pleasures Feed his still transported Soul His Eyes thus fixt the great Seducer's Skill Could not engage his Thoughts or move his Will A Day Serene smil'd on his Heav'nly Mind Dark with no Cloud and undisturb'd with Wind. No Guilt no Frown from Heav'n disturbs his Soul Calm as deep Rivers in still Evenings roll No Storms of Passion such as us molest Annoys the Peaceful Region of his Breast No boiling Lust swell'd the o'erflowing Blood To bear down Reason with th' impetuous Flood His spotless Mind knew yet no other Fire Then those pure Flames that Heav'nly Minds inspire O happy Man above description blest Had he maintain'd the Station he possest Upon the Crystal River's flowry side That winding did in slow Meanders glide As loath to leave the Blissful Place there stood A Tree that rose above th' Hesperian Wood Its Fruit seem'd pleasant but forbidden Food For he that with enormous Bounty pours On Man fresh Pleasures in incessant Showers That nothing can disturb his flowing Joys Unless Variety suspends his Choice Bids him not Eat the fatal Fruit to prove His due Obedience and his constant Love The grand Apostate for high Crimes displac'd From Heav'n by fierce Almighty Vengeance chas'd Till down th' unfathom'd Precipice he fell Confounded to the fiery Gulph of Hell With Rage and Envy sees Man's happy State Whence he for ever lost had fall'n so late Himself undone urg'd with infernal Spight And dire Revenge makes Ruin his delight That he from Heav'n might this fair Province gain That Sin and Death might wider Sway attain And he his baleful Empire might extend Conceal'd beneath the specious Air of Friend Does to Man's Choice the fatal Tree commend As such whose Worth transcends the greatest price The Flower and Beauty of his Paradise Pleasing to Tast but much more to the Mind Which those that Eat should boundless Knowledg find Then points up to the fair forbidden Meat Bids him be Wise and boldly take and Eat He tempts him with the flatt'ring Hopes of Bliss Great as his God's and lasting too as his This gaudy Scene of Glory charm'd his Eye And his proud thoughts at God-like Greatness fly The bright Illusion turn'd his giddy Head And with vast Hopes his vain Ambition fed Thus gazing at the Glory of a
Throne Thus with a haughty troubled Look begun Thus far in vain all our Attempts are made To crush the Britons that our State invade At Sea they Triumph o'er King Octa's Fleet At Land Success above their Hopes they meet Octa defeated dreads Prince Arthur's Arms And sues for Peace by Ethelina's Charms If this should once prevail Britannia's lost We and our Priests must fly this impious Coast. Help'd by th' Almighty Enemy of Hell They yet our Arms escape our Power repel Then Monarch's War with vast advantage wage When Heav'n its Power does on their part Engage This sure Expedient's left us to annoy The Britons and their tow'ring Hopes destroy Let us provoke them to some dire Offence Which may against their Armies Heav'n incense Then the Seraphick Guards that round them ly Or else patroling thro' the Region fly Scowring the Hills and Vales with flaming Arms The Christians to protect from our Alarms These will displeas'd withdraw their powerful Aid And we with Safety may their Camp invade What subtile Spirit of seducing Art And skill in tempting will perform this part Then filthy Asmodai who Men inspires With wanton Passions and unclean Desires Whose leud Adorers stand before his Shrine Transform'd to lustful Goats and loathsome Swine Thus spake This grateful Province I embrace I from their Minds will virtuous Passions chase My stronger Force shall all chast Thoughts expel And Heav'n's weak Flames shall yield to those of Hell To solemn Groves and lonesom Hermits Cells Where boasted Chastity in Triumph dwells To Cloyster'd Monks Admission I command And can a Camp my powerful Charms withstand On me such chosen Spirits shall attend Whose Skill and Power will most promote my End The Gods of Riot Luxury and Wine In this Attempt shall all their Forces joyn Doubt not great Prince when we their Camp Assail Nature is on our side we shall prevail Th' Infernal Diet with his Language mov'd With loud Applause the wise Design approv'd Straight Asmodai attended with a Train Of soft Luxurious Spirits to the Plain Directs his Flight where the glad Britons lay With lab'ring Wings he mounts the steepy Way And quickly reach'd the tender Verge of Day In Companies distinct the Britons sate Pleas'd with their wish'd Success and prosp'rous Fate When to the Camp the Crew Infernal came Grasping in either hand Tartarean Flame About from Tent to Tent the Demons flew And midst the Troops their flaming Torches threw The wanton Fires about their Bosoms play And to their Hearts lascivious warmth convey The soft Contagion glides along their Veins And in their Breasts the pleasing Poison reigns Straight all in Riot and Debauches joyn Dissolve in Mirth and sit inflam'd with Wine The Captains Snore on Scarlet spread beneath And with their lab'ring Breasts contend for Breath Tables o'erturn'd and broken Swords betwixt And Dishes faln with Armour intermixt Helmets and Harness and bruis'd Goblets by A mad Confusion make of War and Luxury Acted with lustful Fires from Town to Town Commanders and their Men promiscuous run With Outrages and ravish'd Virgins Spoils The vicious Army all the Land defiles Whoredoms in Pagan Cities they commit And at their Sacrifices feasting sit Heated with leud Religion Lust and Wine They in the Worship of their Idols join Then to the Camp the hot Adulterers lead Their Pagan Women and avow the Deed. Th' Angelick Guards th' enormous vices saw And in Displeasure from their Camp withdraw All Hell with Shouts of Triumph did resound That Such Success had all their Wishes crown'd The Prince of Hell strait summons from beneath The chief supporter of the Throne of Death Vengeful Megaera she without Delay From Hell's Abyss ascends and in her Way Gathers raw Damps and Steams from noisome Graves And putrid Reeks from Subterranean Caves Where spotted Plagues first draw their poisonous Breath The Nurseries of Pain and Magazines of Death These Seeds of Torment and devouring Heats From whose Contagion vanquish'd Life retreats Megaera in compacted Hides dark Wombs For this infernal Purpose made entombs In their distinct Repositories laid Sad choice of Death she various Plagues convey'd Arm'd for Destruction thus the Fury Came And brought from Asmodai's a different Flame Then Wolves were heard in neighb'ring Hills to howl Th' illboding Raven and the screaching Owl Sung o'er the Camp by Night the Sun by Day Distain'd with Blood shone with a dismal Ray. The cruel Fury strait her Flight did take To find her Prince to whom th' Apostate spake Go glut thy Rage and let the Britons know Hell's Monarch is not yet a vanquish'd Foe Pass thro their Camp with thy accustom'd Hast And on them all thy deadly Treasures wast Strait did the vengeful Minister prepare T' infect the Camp and poison all the Air. Her Bottles turgid with imprison'd Death She open'd and releas'd the fatal Breath In livid Wheels the dire Contagion flies And putrid Exhalations taint the Skies The Region's choak'd with Pestilential Steams Malignant Reeks raw Damps and soultry Gleams Now with their Breath the hot Infection slides Into their Breasts and thro' their Vitals glides Their Lab'ring Hearts spout out the flowing Blood And fry the Limbs with an Aetnean Flood The raging Pest'lence chases thro' the Veins Retreating Life and drest in purple Reigns While other Plagues run colder to the Heart And thro' their Breast strike like a poison'd Dart. Rack'd with tormenting Pain some gasping lie Some only breath th' envenom'd Air and die Their Hearts with chill congealing Blood opprest Throb a few moments in their panting Breast Then yield and from their Vital Labour rest In vain for Help in vain for Drugs they cry Friends and Physicians come but with them dy Thro' all the Camp the fierce Destruction's spread Deforming every Tent with Heaps of Dead Mean time the pious Arthur prostrate laid Thus in a Flood of Tears dissolving pray'd Great King of Heav'n thy Arm thou makest bare T' invade the Britons with resistless War Thy glitt'ring Sword brandish'd with dreadful Sway Does thro our Camp with wide Destruction Slay Why did thy Aids the Shipwreckt Britons save From Rocks and Tempests and th' insulting Wave If we must only see our Native Isle And with our Dead th' encumber'd Land defile Th' insulting Heathen will Blaspheme thy Name And in their Songs advance their Idols Fame To their vain Gods loud Praises they 'll return And Hecatombs upon their Altars burn Spare yet thy Britons let some Reliques live That may due Honours to thy Temples give Let the Destroyer cease at thy Command And Death at thy Rebuke arrested stand And may the Crimes that Heav'n provoke be known That our deep Sorrows may its Wrath atone The pious Prince's humble Cries succeed And glorious Raphael with Angelick speed Descends his Sword of Flame drawn in his Hand To chase the fierce Destroyer from the Land A Crystal Vial full of Od'rous Fumes Ambrosial Balm and rich Etherial Gums His other hand pour'd out upon the Air To cure the Damps